Broom-corn harvester.



No. 833,064. PATENTBD 00T. 9, 1906.

J. E. LARsoN. BR'ooM CORN HARVESTER.

.LPPLIOATIO-N FILED JUNE 12, 1905.

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tromm No. 033,064. V PATBNTBD 00T. 9, 1900.

J. E. LARsoN.

BROOM CORN HARVESTER. APPLIGATION FILED 00m12.190s.

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No. 833,064. PATENTED OCT.9, 1906. J. E. LARSON.

BROOM CORN HARVESTER. APPLICATION Hup 11111212, 1905.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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No. 833,064. PATENTED OG T. 9, 1.906. y

J. E. LARSON.

BRUOM CORN HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI; 12. 1905.

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No. 833,064. PATEN'I'ED OCT. 9, 1906.

' J. B. LARSON.

BRUOM CORN HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1'2, 1905.

'1 sHEBTs-sHEBT 5A gm/venice No. 833,064. PATBNTBDOGT. 9, 1906.

J. E. LARSUN.

BROOM CORN HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12l 1905.

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PATENTED OCT. 9, 1906.

J.E.LARSON. BRooM CORN HARVESTER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 12, 1906.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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JOSEPH E. LARSON, OF SILVER CREEK, NEBRASKA.

BROOM-CORN HARVESTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1906.

Application filed June 12, 1905. Serial No. 264.897.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. LARsON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Silver Creek, in the county of Merrick and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Broomorn Harvesters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in broom-corn harvesters.

The obj ect of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which will cut the tops from the broom-corn stalks and which will arrange and feed the same to a shear or trimming device on the machine in proper position to be trimmed the desired lengths.

Another Objectis to provide a discharging mechanism to receive the trimmed broomstraw heads and from which the same may be discharged at regular intervals or whenever desired by the operator.

A further object is to provide a machine of this character which will be strong, durable, and comparatively simple in construction, efficient in operation, of even draft, and well adapted to the purpose for whichit is designed.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter ydescribed and claimed.

lIn the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a view of the sickle end of the machine. Fig. 4 is a view of the opposite or ci'ischarge end. Fig. 5 is a top plan view. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the straightening-rolls. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the machine, taken immediately in front of the shear or trimming device. Fig. 8 is a `detail sectional view illustrating the construction and operation of the sickle, and Fig. 9 is a detail horizonal sectionalfview through the guiding and feeding mechanism for receiving the heads of the broom-corn stalks.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes a sup-A porting frame upon which the operating mechanism of the machine is mounted. The frame 1 is supported at its rear-side upon a rear supporting-wheel 2, which is journaled in bearing-brackets on the lower end of a verv brackets 9, throu tically-disposed standard. 3, to which the rear side of the frame 1 is adjustably connected. On the rear side of the frame 1 is pivotally mounted an adjusting lever 4, having a spring-projected pawl or dog to engage the teeth of a segmental rack 5, whereby said lever is held in its various adjusted positions. To the lever 4 is pivotally connected the upper end of a link 6, the opposite end of which is connected to the upper end of the standard 3, whereby when said lever is operated the rear side of the supporting-frame may be raised or lowered.

The sickle end of the frame 1 is supported. upon a wheel 7, which is journaled on the' right-angularly-bent lower end of a verticallydisposed standard 8, to which this end of the frame is adjustably connected by means of Oh which said standard passes, and a laterally-projecting arm 10, rigidly fixed to said standard and slidably engaging a guide-bracket 12 on the frame.

The opposite end of the frame 1 is supported upon a combined traction and operating wheel 13, journaled upon an axle 14, mounted in bearing-blocks 15, which are adjustably mounted in slotted segmental guide'- brackets 16, secured to longitudinally-disposed b'ars 17 of the frame.

In order that the frame 1 may be adjusted at each end, cables or chains are provided for raising and lowering the same. To the bearing-blocks 15 of the axle 14 .are connected the ends of chains or cables 18, which extend downwardly and pass around guidepulleys 19, j ournaled on the lower ends of the segmental brackets 16. From the pulleys 19- the chains or cables 18 extend rearwardly and around horizontally-disposed guide-pulleys 20, mounted on the lower side 4of the frame 1, and from thence extend to and are connected with the lower end of a windingshaft 21, which is journaled in the frame 1 and extends upwardly to near the upper side of the same and is provided on its upper end with a worm-gear 22, with which is adapted to mesh a worm 23, which is formed on or fixed to a horizontally-disposed shaft 24,` journaled in brackets on the frame 1. The rear end of the' shaft 24 extends to within convenient reach of the drivers seat and is provided with an operating crank-handle 25, which when turned in one direction or the other will cause the winding-shaft 21 to ,wind or unwind the chains or cables 18, thus` raising or lowering the frame 1 0n the axle 14.

IOO

IIO

i form a suitable arch to permit the passage of guide-plates 47, between which the broom- To the right-angularly-bent upper end of l the standard 8 is connected the upper end of a chain or cable 26, which 'extends downwardly andrearwardly around guide-pulleys 27, journaled on the adjacent end of the frame 1. Said chain or cable 26 then passes upwardly over a guide-pulley 28 and from thence to a winding-shaft 29, journaled upon the rear side of the yframe 1, and is provided on its upper end with a worm-gear'30. With the worm-gear 30 is adapted to mesh aworm 31, which is formed on or fixed to a horizontally-disposed shaft 32, journaled in brackets upon 'theframe 1 and projecting rearwardly to within convenient reach of the drivers seat, where said shaft is provided with an operating crank-handle 33, which when operated will cause the shaft 29 to wind or unwind the chain or cable 26, which will raise or lower this end of the frame on the standard 8 of the supporting-wheel 7.

The sickle or cutting end of the frame 1 has connected thereto a curved v rod 1a to the machine over the rows of broom-corn stalks, and immediately above this arched portion of the frame, on the upper side of the same, is secured a pair of forwardly-projecting guiding and conveying frames 34, the forward ends of which diverge or are fia-red to facilitate the passage of broom-corn tops between the same. In the frames 34 are journaled vertically-disposed rollers 35 around which are passed conveyer-belts 36.' The shafts of the inner pair of rollers 35 project through the upper portion of the frame forming the arch and are provided with horizontally-disposed spur gear-wheels 37. One of the shafts of said rollers extends below the gearwheels 37 and has secured thereto a spur gear-pinion 38, with which is adapted to mesh a crown-gear 39, fixed on the end of a stub-shaft 40, journaled in the frame 1. On said stub-shaft 40 is also fixed a sprocketwheel 41, which is engaged by a sprocketchain 42, passing around a sprocket-wheel 43, mounted on a shaft 44, motion being imparted to said shaft by a suitable driving mechanism hereinafter described.

On the forward ends of the conveyer-frame 34 are secured forwardly and downwardly projecting guide-frames 45, which are adapted to gather in the broom-corn heads or brushes and to convey the same between the conveyer-belts on the frame 34. The frames 34 are suitably braced and secured to the frame 1 by means of upper and lower pairs of brace-bars 46.

On the upper side of the frame 1 immediately in rear of the conveyer-frame 34 are mounted verticallydisposed parallel corn heads or brushes are adapted to fall after being severed from the stalk by means of a suitable cutting mechanism or sickle hereinafter described. Immediately below the plates 47 is arranged a lhorizontally-disposed endless conveyer-belt 48, which passes around rollers 49, journaled in the upper side of the frame 1. The shaft of one of said rollers projects rearwardly and has secured thereto a sprocket-wheel 50, whereby the same is driven.

The cutting mechanism for severing the heads of the broom-corn from the stalks consists of a bifurcated cutter-plate 51, secured to theunder side of the conveyer-frame 34, and below said cutter and'coa'cting therewith is mounted a reciprocating sickle-bar 52, on which are secured two or more cutting blades or knives 53, adapted to coact with the edges of the bifurcated cutter-plate 51 to sever the heads from the cornstalks. Said heads after being thus severed fall rearwardly between the plates 47 upon the horizontal conveyer 48, by which the same are carried to a suitable straightening mechanism and fitting mechanism hereinafter described.

In order that the sickle-bar 52 may be reciprocated, the same is conn'ected at one end with a pitman-rod 54, the opposite end of said pitman-rod being pivotally connected to an eccentrically-disposed wrist-pin 55, secured to a disk or plate 56, which is rigidly mounted'upon the adjacent end of the shaft of the drive-roll for the conveyer 48, whereby when said conveyer-roll is driven the sicklebar-will be operated.

Journaled in the upper side of the frame 1 immediately below and at the inner end of the conveyer 48 are a series of transverselydisposed butting and straightening rollers 57, above which is pivotally mounted a series of longitudinally disposed shafts 58. On these shafts 58 are secured depending plates 59, the first of which lies a slight distance above the rolls 57, while the others are adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the rolls 57 in an inclined position, as shown, the office of the plates 59 being to assist the rolls 57 when straightening and butting the heads of the broom-corn as the same are deposited thereon from the conveyer 48. In order that said heads may be engaged or fed across the straightening-rolls, a suitable feeding mechanism is provided, said mechanism consisting of a series of horizontally-disposed cranked shafts 60, the ends of which are journaled in the frame 1 below the straightening-rolls 57. On the upper side of the shaft 60 are secured longitudinally-disposed lrakes or forked members 61, the teeth or tines of said forks being arranged to pass between each of the rolls 57 when projected upwardly by the revolving of the shafts 60. Said shafts 6() are so formed that the forks 61 will be projected upwardly at an angle and in consecutive order. One end of each of the cranked shafts 60 projects IIO i forks 61 is connected beyond the rear'side of the frame 1 and has I veyers 68 and 73 have mounted thereon.

fixed thereon sprocket gear-wheels 62, whereby said shafts are driven. To each of the the upper end of a controlling-rod 63, as shown in Fig. 1, the lower end ofwhich is pivotally connected to linkrods 64, the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected to the lower portion of the frame 1. By providing controlling rod or links 63 and 64 the forks will be held at the proper angle while being operated by the cranked shafts 60. When operated, the forks are first projected upwardly between the rolls 57 and then are moved laterally toward the discharge end of the machine, carrying therewith across the upper surface of the rolls all the broom-corn heads lying in their path of movement. After engaging and i moving the brush-heads a certain distance Aof the frame 1,

the forks are retracted or moved downwardly, at which time the next consecutive fork will be projected upwardly into engagement with the tops just released by the former fork and y A will be carried a certain distance farther by' this latter fork in the same manner as previously described. The engagement of tops by the consecutively-operated forks will move the same entirely across the straighteningrolls and onto a trimming mechanism now to be described.

The trimming mechanism comprises a frame 65, which is slidably mounted upon longitudinallydisposed guide-bars 66, arranged in the upper side of the frame 1. In the opposite ends of the framesv are journaled rolls 67, around which is passed an endless slatted conveyer 68, upon which the heads of the broom-corn are deposited from the straightening-rolls 57, as shown. Upon the upper rear side of the frame 1 is formed an upwardly-projecting guide flange or plate 69. On one side of the center of the movable frame 65 is secured an upwardly-projecting guide-flange 70, said flange being cut away on its lower side, as at X, adjacent to the ends of the straightening-roll 57 to permit the ends of the stalks of the broom-corn heads to project beyond the forward end of the frame 65. In the frame 65 is ournaled a longitudinally-disposed shaft 71, on the forward end of which is mounted a toothed trimming wheel or disk 72. in two parts or sections, one on each side of the cutter-disk 72. The wheel or disk 72 is adapted to be revolved when the shaft 71 is driven to sever the stalks of the broom-corn heads which project beyond the flange 70, thus trimming or cutting all of the heads on the frame 65 to a uniform length.

Coacting with the conveyfer 68 to feed the The conveyer 68 is broom-corn heads across the frame 65 is anupper endless conveyer 73, which passes around rolls 74, journaled in the upper side as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. The shafts of one of the rolls of both the conprovided at its lower end with a sprocket-wheels 75 and 76, while the shaft 71l of thev trimming disk or wheel 72 has secured thereto a sprocket-wheel 77. In order that the frame 65 may be shifted upon the bars 66 to increase the distance between the iianges 69 and 70, thereby permitting the broom-corn heads to be trimmed longer, a shifting mechanism is provided. Said mechanism consists of a link 78, one end of which is connected to the lower side of the frame 65, while the opposite end of the link is pivotally connected to a cranked shaft 79, j ournaled in bearing-bracket 8O on the rear side of the frame, as shown. To one end of said shaft 79 is rigidly secured an operating-lever 81, said lever being provided with a pawl or dog 82, adapted to beengaged with the teeth of a segmental rack 83, whereby when said lever is operated the crank-shaft 79 will be turned thereby, causing the frame 65 to be shifted to\increase or diminish the distance between the flanges 69 and 70, as, herein described.

On the discharge end of the machine, adjacent to the end of the trimming-frame 65, is secured a discharge-hopper 84, into which the trimmed heads of the broom-corn fall from the conveyer 68. The hopper 84 is right-angularly-formed hinged closing plate or gate 85, whereby the broom-corn tops deposited onto said hopper are retained thereon until such time and at such intervals as may be desired to discharge the same. The plate 85 is provided with an upwardly-projecting rightangularly formed arm 86, to which is secured one end of lan operating-cable 87, which eX- tends over a guide-pulley 88, thence downwardly, where the same is secured to a footlever 89, arranged on the rear side of the frame 1 within convenient reach of the drivers seat 90, whereby when it is desired' to dump or discharge the broom-corn heads from the hopper 84 said lever 89 is depressed, thus causing the cable 87 to lift the plate 85, thereby permitting the contents of the hopper to be discharged `therefrom. A spring 91 is secured to the arm 86 and to the side of the hopper, whereby when the plate 85 is released said spring will cause the same to automatically close.

Rigidly Connected to the combined traction and operating wheel 13 is a sprocketwheel 92, around which passes a sprocketchain 93. This chain 93 passes over a chaintightening device 94. and thence around a sprocket-wheel 95, which is fiXedly mounted upon a horizontally-disposed shaft 96, journaled in the lower portion of the frame l. On the opposite end of the shaft 96 is mounted'a combined spur and beveled gear-wheel 97. With the spur-gear teeth. of the wheel 97 is adapted to mesh a spur gear-pinion 98, which is fixed on the adjacent end of the IOO ISO

shaft 44, whereby said shaft is driven to turn the wheel 43 and impart motion to the chain 42, which engages and drives the sprocket-Wheel 41 and shaft 40 to operate the conveyer-belts 36. The chain 42 also passes over a series of sprocket-pinions 99, fixed on the ends of the shafts of the straightening-rolls 57, whereby said rolls are driven.

The beveled teeth of the Wheel 97 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of a beveled gear-pinion 100, which is fixedly mounted upon a shaft 101, journaled in the lower side of the frame 1 transversely to the shaft 96. One end of the shaft 101 extends rearwardly through the side of the frame 1 and has fixedly mounted thereon a sprocket-wheel 102, around which passes a sprocket-chain 103. Said chain passes around the sprocketwheel 50 of the conveyer 48, whereby the same and the sickle-bar is driven, as hereinbefore described. The chain 103 also engages the sprocket-Wheels 75 and 76 of the conveyer-rolls 67 and 74, whereby the conveyers 68 and 7 3 are driven. On the shaft of the conveyer-roll 74 is secured a sprocketwheel 104, around which passes a short sprocket-chain 105, said chain passing around the sprocket-wheel 77 on the end of the trimming-disk shaft, thereby driving said trimming-disk. The chain 103 also engages a sprocket-wheel 106, fixedly mounted upon a short shaft 107, which is ournaled in brackets 10S on the rear side of the frame 1. On said shaft 107 is also fixedly mounted sprocket-pinion 109, around which passes a sprocket-chain 110,- said chain also passing around the sprocket-Wheels 62 on the ends of the cranked shafts of the feeding or conveying forks 61, whereby motion is imparted to said forks. The chains 103 and 110 pass over or are engaged by suitablymounted idle rollers, whereby said chains are held in proper engagement with the various sprocket-wheels driven thereby.

The frame 1 is suitably braced at various points by brace-rods, and to the front side of the same is pivotally connected a tongue 111, to which the draft-animals are hitched. On the upper forward side of the frame is secured an upwardly-projecting eye or loop 1 12, through which the driving-reins are passed and by which said reins are supported and held above and out of the way of the operating mechanism of the machine.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a broom-corn harvester, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame, of a guiding and feeding mechanism, a sickle-bar,

revolubly-mounted rolls, reciprocating forks, the tines of which move between said rolls, pivoted straightening-plates arranged above and coacting with said rolls, a conveyer mounted on an adjustable frame, arranged at the delivery end of said rolls, a rotary cutting or trimming device arranged on said conveyer-frame to trim the -broom-corn heads to the desired length, a manually-operated discharge-hopper to receive said trimmed heads, and means for manually discharging said hopper comprising a lever and a cable, substantially as described.

2. In a broom-corn har ester, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame, of a guiding and feeding mechanism, a sickle-bar, revolubly-mounted rolls, reciprocating forks, the tines of which move between said rolls, pivoted straightening-plates arranged above and coacting with said rolls, a conveyer-frame arranged at the end of said rolls, an endless conveyer arranged on said frame, a rotary cutting or trimming device mounted on said frame, means whereby said frame isadjusted or shifted to cause said trimming device to trim the broom-corn heads on said conveyer to different lengths, a manuallyoperated discharge-hopper to receive said trimmed heads, and means whereby the various operative parts of the machine are driven, substantially as described.

3. In a broom-corn harvester, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame of a guiding and feeding mechanism, said mechanism comprising a pair of downwardly and forwardly proiecting guide-frames, a pair of vertically-disposed, forwardly-projecting conveyer-frames, endless feeding-conveyers mounted in said frames, a cutting mechanism arranged beneath said conveyer-frames, parallel, vertically-disposed guide-plates arranged at the inner end of the feeding mechanism, a horizontally-disposed endless conveyer arranged below said plates, a series of rolls journaled at'the end of said horizontal conveyer, a series of feeding-forks arranged below said rolls, means whereby the tines of said forks are actuated to move between said rolls, a trimming mechanism arranged at the end of said rolls, a discharge-hopper, and means whereby said operating parts are driven, substantially as described.

4. In a broom-corn harvester, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame of a guiding and feeding mechanism, said mechanism comprising a pair of downwardly and forwardly projecting guide-frames, a Lpair of vertically-disposed, forwardly-projecting conveyer-frames, endless feeding-conveyers mounted in said frames, a bifurcated cutterplate arrangedbelow said conveyer-frames, a

reciprocating sickle-bar slidably mounted on said plate to coact with the same, means to reciprocate said sickle-bar, parallel, vertically-disposed guide-plates arranged at the inner ends of said conveyer-frames, a hori- I zontally-disposed endless eonveyer arran ed below said plates, Aa series of rolls journa ed in said frame, pivotally-mounted straightening-plates arranged above said rolls to eoaot therewith, a oonveyer-frame arranged at the end of said rolls, an endless eonveyer-belt, a revolubly-mounted toothed trimming-disk arranged on said frame, means whereby the latter is shifted to adjust said trimming-disk, a hopper to receive the trimmed broom-corn l heads, and means whereby said hopper is opened to discharge said heads, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set I5 my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH E, LARSON.

Witnesses: v

D. F. DAvIs, J. P. LARsoN. 

